Gaffney Passes Torch to New Monmouth University President

By Christopher Sheldon

Former Monmouth University President Paul Gaffney said farewell to the school on Wednesday and welcomed the university's newest president Paul R. Brown.

"Today is the last day for a dream job for (my wife Linda and I)," Gaffney said on Wednesday. "The seventh president on the threshold heading out and the eighth president is on the threshold on the way in."

Brown previously served as the head of the College of Business and Economics at Lehigh University before being chosen as Monmouth University's new president in March.

"Our search for a president was a national one and took the better part of a year," Chairman of the Monmouth University Board of Trustees Robert B. Sculthorpe said. "(Brown) has already turned his learning curve into a short, straight line."

Brown said he has enjoyed a successful transition period and is ready to serve the Monmouth University community.

"It's with tremendous excitement that I join Monmouth University as its eighth president," Brown said. "To take this journey with you is very special."

Brown and his wife, Joan G. Fishman, and daughter, Emma, will move to Doherty House, the presidential residence, this week.

"This is our new home and you all made that happen," Brown said. "I really don't want to miss a beat for planning the university's bright future."